Laundry Dryer Air Conduit Width for Heat Pump Airflow Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of air flow within the basement of laundry dryers is hindered by the presence of bends or curves in the process air conduit, which affects the overall efficiency of the heat pump system and the positioning of bulky components.
Innovation Solution
A laundry dryer design with a process air conduit in the basement that has a width of at least 50% of the basement width, allowing for wider heat exchangers and optimizing the heat exchange surface area, while also accommodating other components by varying the conduit width to provide sufficient space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If bends or curves are included in the basement air conduit to accommodate heat exchangers, then heat exchange function is achieved, but air flow efficiency deteriorates due to vortexes and turbulences
Solution Approach 1:
The basement air conduit is divided into multiple sections with different width characteristics. The first section has a width greater than 50% of the basement width to maintain straight flow, while the second section has a width less than 50% to accommodate heat exchangers. This segmentation allows different portions of the conduit to serve different functions optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the basement air conduit are given different width properties according to their specific functional requirements. The first section maintains large width for efficient air flow, while the second section reduces width to house heat exchangers. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between flow efficiency and heat exchange accommodation.
2Productivity
If the basement air conduit width is increased to accommodate wider heat exchangers, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but space for other components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The basement air conduit is segmented into a first section with greater width for heat exchange efficiency and a second section with lesser width for component accommodation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both wide conduits for heat exchange and narrow sections for housing other components like the drum support mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit width is locally optimized: the first section has increased width specifically where heat exchange efficiency is needed, while the second section has reduced width specifically where component space is required. This local quality differentiation resolves the spatial contradiction.
3Productivity
If the basement air conduit is made straight to improve air flow efficiency, then air flow efficiency is improved, but heat exchanger accommodation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The basement air conduit is divided into a first section that is relatively straight with greater width for efficient air flow, and a second section that can accommodate heat exchangers with lesser width. The segmentation allows the majority of the conduit to maintain straight geometry while providing dedicated space for heat exchangers in the second section.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit is given different geometric properties in different sections: the first section maintains straight geometry with large width for flow efficiency, while the second section provides space for heat exchanger installation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between straight geometry and component accommodation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design improves air flow efficiency and overall dryer performance by minimizing vortexes and turbulences, allowing for wider heat exchangers that enhance heat exchange efficiency without obstructing other components.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger where the refrigerant is cooled off and the process air is heated up
Implementation Method 2
a second heat exchanger where the refrigerant is heated up and the process air is cooled off
Implementation Method 3
the air stream is cooled down and dehumidified in the evaporator
Implementation Method 4
heated up in the condenser
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry dryer (1) including: - a drum (3) being rotatable about a drum axis (R); - a casing (2) rotatably supporting the drum (3) and including a basement (24) defining a basement plane (X,Y) and having a basement width; - a process air conduit (11) in fluid communication with the drum (3) including a basement process air conduit (18) located in the basement (24) and extending within the basement for a given length and having a basement air conduit width; - a heat pump (30) having a heat pump circuit including a first heat exchanger (31) to heat up process air and a second heat exchanger (32) to cool the process air; said heat exchangers being arranged in the basement process air conduit (18); - wherein the basement air conduit width along a first portion (28) of its extension is wider than 50% of the basement (24) width.